[Che]

First of all, people have always said "exclusively for..."blah blah blah. FF13 was "exclusively for PS3" until they decided to port it to Xbox and push back the release. Things aren't exactly set in stone here. In the video he said "...and Playstation 3 will be the only console you'll be able to play Final Fantasy 14 on when it launches in 2010."

Also, MMO's are the new thing. Out with the old, in with the new. Get with the program. That kind of deal. If you want to play the same old RPGs with all that crap pick up a nintendo DS and go crazy.

[Andromeda]

One thing you have to remember is that FFXI is the most profitable FF game in the franchise. They said in an interview. This is because of the subscriptions. You think they are going to turn away from something like that?

FFXI is hardly ailing, it's population has remained at a steady half million for the last few years. They are going to be porting it over to the PS3 as well. So they are fully supporting it even now.

Anyway, who else noticed that the some character designs from FFXI are in FFXIV. When I first saw the trailer I was like what another and FFXIII is not out yet and to be released within a year of FFXIII. Where they've been hiding this. Then I looked at it and saw the character and like so the FFXI team is doing this game? Because its the exact same character designs and rendering engine. And then it is said new online game, and so now I know what they MMO of SE that has been rumored for years turns out to be.

Still it makes since going on the PS3, no charges for being online with a PSN and all PS3 come with a HDD be default. Something that isn't in every package of 360s. So that ends up limiting the audience or forcing them to pay to find a HDD.

I don't know if I want to play another MMO, but I'm excited to see some gameplay.

[Meier Link]

I have to agree with Oskar and Andro on this one, it is a marketing ploy. And a smart one on SE's behalf.

As for my opinion I think it is a good thing, there needs to be more competetion with WoW. The MMO market is a gold mine and SE is smart for trying to get their chunk of change out of it. So what they release one more MMO that puts it at 2 MMOs VS how many other titles that are not??? It is not the end of the world. SE will surely put out more none FFMMO style games that are edgey (somewhat) and competative with the current markets.

They are using stratagy to monopolize the industry (or attempt to). It is all a big game to them based off of tactics. Virtually the same you would use to conqour one of their titles.

Maybe they will do something crazy with this one and make it a subscription free game, who knows. Wouldn't be the best choice to do but hell they might also give soemthing like 4 free months. There is alot of marketing that could be done in this instance to boost sales and revenue.

[Calvan]

*lets out a groaning noise that eventually comes out into*WHY!?

Serously this better be a better game than WoW and Guild Wars. Otherwise i'm not buyin.

Maybe do what Guild Wars is doing with their sequal and give the players from the last title incentive to upgrade to the new one while still fully supporting the last.

[Che]

Even if it was a slightly updated version of FFXI with a few tweaks like being able to solo to max level, I'd probably quit WoW to play it. Really bored with the game right now.

[Meier Link]

I have never played XI but to me this would be a new way to take on a new "life" away from what has been preset by you, the user, and gives you a new chance to bond with another character that you can tune and perfect into the perfect killing machine. Plus you get an added bonus of a new story line. Really I can't see where the cons out weigh the pros.

It also gives novice players a chance to get out there and leaern the game with out having to deal with shitty smart asses that think they know everything because once again every one will start fresh, all as noobs (maybe if they don't let you carry over)

[Ralz]

I suppose this could be a second chance at the MMO department, new designs, new story, different stuff, but I still don't know...

[Angantyr]

I remember hearing quite a while ago that Square-Enix is working on a new MMORPG and here it is. At first I thought it might be more related to Dragon Quest as I could see a DQ style MMO though not as difficult. Square has learned from their mistakes, they have much more idea on how to design an Epic RPG. I doubt it but I'd like to see it give WoW a run for it's money, it'd have to be a bit more casual friendly than FFXI is but not as much as WoW has been.

I'm looking forward to hearing more.

[Darkwave]

farout and will they ever run out of ideas

[Che]

Did anyone read the live blog Q and A?

IGN Advertisement

Amazing stuff! I can finally quit WoW!

[Che]

Live Blog Q and A entire discussion:

Q: What influence have games like World of WarCraft have on the development of FFXIV?

A: As with WoW, we want to aim a bit for the casual user. However, we don't want to make a copy of WoW. We believe we will have things that are unique and will stand out from that game.

Q: Will combat be more action oriented or turn-based?

A: We cannot talk about the battle system at this time.

Q: FFXI has evolved a lot over the years, especially in the areas of player accessibility and the ability to solo. Will you carry over features like level sync and other features to FFXIV?

A: Yes. All of the knowledge and experience we gained from FFXI will be used in the development of FFXIV. At the launch, we intend to have content for solo players as well as large-scale battles. We want a wide-variety from the start.

Q: Are you planning a simultaneous worldwide release or will it be released in Japan first?

A: Yes. At the launch, this will be a worldwide simultaneous launch on PS3 and Windows PC. English, Japanese, German, and French versions released at launch.

Q: Will all servers be worldwide or split by territory?

A: The current plans are to have worldwide servers that are cross-platform and cross-region. We will do a beta test and look at the balance and player experience. We want to look for a good balance between region and cross-region play.

Q: Will you be taking feedback from your FFXI users?

A: Yes, we still get a lot of feedback from our FFXI players and will continue to take feedback as we move into beta. The game will change as it goes.

Q: Will you try to move players from XI to XIV or will they be separate communities?

A: It's up to the community themselves. We envision users that will hopefully play XI one day and XIV another. They will be independent, but users are free to play both.

Q: Are there plans to localize the game in Spanish?

A: Currently, there is no Spanish version in development. We'll consider it if enough Spanish-speaking users demand it from us. Getting good translators in Japan is hard, but if there's enough demand we will consider it.

Q: How can users transmit this demand?

A: We will conduct marketing research.

Q: Is there any special element in the MMO genre that you will improve with this game?

A: Our plan from the beginning was to make the best Final Fantasy game available. That is our vision for XIV. Then we thought, how can we make the best FF game and we came to the conclusion that it would be an MMORPG. It was decided to make the best FF first, then led to the decision to make it an MMORG and use that genre.

A: However, we are trying to implement a lot of new systems that other MMO's haven't used in the past.

Q: Why did you decide to make a new game rather than continue to evolve FFXI?

A: It all comes down to, originally, FFXI was designed for the PS2. It then moved to PC and Xbox 360. A lot of people have asked for a port to the PS3. With an MMORPG of this size, you have to develop new content. Porting to a new technology would take a lot of effort. Instead, we decided to use that time to make something new.

Q: Yesterday's trailer that was shown, was that running of a console or was it pre-rendered?

A: There were parts that were pre-rendered and parts that were running on the in-game engine.

Q: Is that the quality you're aiming for? The scene with the Galka fighting, is that what you're aiming for?

A: Yes, that is the part that was running in-engine.

Q: In that scene, we saw many parties and many enemies. Is this the new focus: many parties fighting many enemies?

A: I cannot say too much, but we hope to have battles that are many vs. many and many vs. one.

Q: What would you like to emphasize with this game? What is different from FFXI?

A: For FFXIV, the keyword that we've been using is "The Growth and Development of the Character." We will have the same type of storytelling and high-quality graphics. We also want to expand and create new in-game systems. The player can grow & develop in a more natural way without putting too much weight on the player. We will expand the job system to make it fairly different from the one in FFXI.

A: Another very important concept that takes a different direction from FFXI, for FFXIV we want to make it so the player can choose to play solo, in a party, 40 minutes, all-day... there will be content for ALL of those play styles and systems for all of those play styles.

Q: On the beta process, will current XI players get in?

A: As with the actual release date of the game, we don't have a concrete beta schedule yet. We will have a beta and look forward to more information about then shortly.

Q: Will FFXI characters be portable to XIV in any way?

A: The game is completely different. There will not be any XI character transfers to XIV. However, the character design is familiar and XI players will be able to create a similar character.

A: We will NOT be using PlayOnline, but friend lists will transfer over.

Q: If I'm new to the MMO genre, why would I choose FFXIV over other games?

A: We believe that players will fall in love with the world & story that we have created.

[Zargabaath]

I think it important to clarify that Final Fantasy XIV is being developed by the Final Fantasy XI team, which I'm guessing is there MMO team. Final Fantasy XIV did not take away from Final Fantasy Versus XIII or Agito XIII

I am not upset with FF XIV being a MMO; the Final Fantasy series has always been about innovation and change. On the topic of monthly payments: I do not mind paying a monthly, they have to upkeep the servers and make improvemtents, though I will say that Square Enix should make it a flat rate and not charge for every character a player has. For all complaining about a "stupid" monthly fee, there are over 9 MILLION MMO players in the world who are willing to pay to play. That is 116,550,000 dollars pool (at a rate of 12.95) that Square is already a part of and with FF XIV is trying to expand. The profit from MMOs is great if the company get a successful MMO. With FFXI as example: there are 500,000 people paying 12.95 plus a month. At the base rate they make 6,475,000 a month this profit goes to mainting the game and I guess helps in the development of FF XIV.

One thing I am sad about is the developers decision to make the races similiar in appearance to FFXI races; I would have prefered new races, though they still can change what each race specializes in (Galka looking race can be the new mages, TaruTaru if they have them since there have been no screens of anything like them can be new ninjas. lol)

I will see how the game comes along and will most likely try to get at launch. I may still get even if I have no intention of playing to complete my collection.

[Che]

I think 11 million people play world of warcraft alone, as well as the 500k playing FFXI like you said, and probably 500k(?) who play warhammer. This isn't counting the other MMOs out. Tons of money to be made here.

IGN just released some more info from a personal interview with the devs:

What platforms is Final Fantasy XIV coming to?
Currently the game is confirmed for PlayStation 3 and Windows PC. An Xbox 360 version isn't official, but Square Enix is considering the possibility that it could.

What do we know about the setting and the story?
It takes place on an all-new Final Fantasy world known as "Eorzea." Though it does share some monsters and races from Final Fantasy XI, they're not direct representations and have been altered in multiple ways that make them unique to Eorzea. The similarities in races will allow experienced FFXI players to create a new FFXIV character that looks somewhat comparable.


Watch our video interview with the development team here!
Does it have a direct connection to Final Fantasy XI?
In some ways, yes it does. Not only does it share the same development team as the FF11, but the game will also allow players to create a character that is similar to their current Final Fantasy XI. Square Enix has also revealed to IGN that it is currently finding a solution that will let you transfer your character's names from FFXI to FFXIV.

On a related note, at the press conference, it was said that FFXI has another year of content planned. Does that mean that after that year is up that FFXI is done with?
No. To be specific, Square Enix has one year of content currently planned but has told us here at IGN that it isn't a mandated end for the series. If fans continue to support the game, then so will Square Enix.

What is the combat system like?
The development team won't say, but it did confirm to us that... Additionally, the heavy team-play aspect of FF11 has been deemphasized, and now exploration and battle is said to be more balanced between solo and team play.

How does the leveling system work?
Square Enix is cagey about how characters advance, but it has confirmed with IGN that growth is not based on experience and that it will work on a different system entirely.

What about jobs?
Jobs will return in Final Fantasy XIV, but they will be much different than the job system present in FFXI.

How important are the weapons?
Weapons are very important and have a heavy influence on your character and how they succeed in the game world. Square Enix says to look closely at the official FFXIV logo for hints and hidden meanings about how the game will work.

What hidden meanings?
Square Enix told us that when it approached Amano to do the logo art for FFXIV, that weapons were very important and to think of the concept of a "wheel." Specifically, a wheel of adventurers that has their weapon in front of them and an exposed backside -- which leaves each adventurer to rely heavily on their comrades and their friends. Let the speculation begin.


Square unveiled the game with a trailer at E3 2009.
Anything else about the weapons?
The team let slip to us that choosing weapons for specific tasks one day versus another could affect how your character develops.

How much of the first trailer is in-game versus pre-rendered?
The debut trailer is actually a mixture of real-time in-game footage and pre-rendered wizardry. The combat scene in particular was created using the in-game engine.

What languages will the game available in?
The same as Final Fantasy XI: Japanese, English, French and German. FFXIV will also be released simultaneously in all regions that use those languages.

Will the PlayOnline service be used for FFXIV?
No. Square Enix told us that the reason it is ditching the PlayOnline system is because it was originally meant as an all-in-one solution to house multiple content types. But as PlayOnline has offered less content over the years, the need for the next online Final Fantasy to us PO is moot. Whatever new service (if any) is used, PC and PlayStation 3 users will still be able to play with each other on the same servers, and Square Enix also confirmed with IGN that you can sign in with a universal ID on either system to pick up where you left off if you own both.

Who's Working on the Game?
It is produced by Hiromichi Tanaka (Final Fantasy I, II, III, and IX) and directed by Nobuaki Komoto (Final Fantasy IX, XI), with art direction by Akihiko Yoshida (Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy XII) and a musical score from Nobuo Uematsu (Most Final Fantasies ever). Yoshitaka Amano has designed the logo and is pulling additional art duties as well.

Uematsu only did a few tracks in FFXI, how much is he doing for XIV?
Square Enix revealed to IGN that Uematsu will be doing all the music for Final Fantasy XIV and that it will be composed in a range of different styles and genres.

What modern day MMOs have influenced the design and direction of FFXIV?
In addition to the team's original work on Final Fantasy XI, World of Warcraft, Age of Conan and Warhammer Online have been three recent games that have had some pull, but the FFXI community's feedback has been the most important factor in its design.

Are Chocobos back?
Yes, they will return. But Square Enix has told IGN that it is looking at using them in a completely different way than they were used in Final Fantasy XI (where they were used as riding steeds).

When is it coming out and when is the beta?
The game will come out in 2010, and after Final Fantasy XIII which is scheduled for spring of the same year. Beta plans are still being finalized, but that the plan is to have a longer beta period than that of FFXI (which had a beta of about 3-4 months).

I really want to try to get in that beta!

[Christa Pho!]

Ahhh such a contraversial subject.

Well honestly, you guys are right, Squeenix is a company, the purpose of a company is too make profit. I'd imagine around $200 or so to play a game for one year sounds like a favorable choice.
And honestly I don't mind the idea too much, MMO's are loads of fun and offer hours upon hours of entertainment not seen in your typical solo rpg.
Besides, the team from Final Fantasy XI needs something to work on, and the most obvious choice would obviously be another MMO. As long as none of the mainstream FF developers are "wasting" there time on another MMO, then there should be no reprocussion on any of the standard FF games.

However, two complaints.
First, I hate the use of Final Fantasy "XIV" as the title. Final Fantasy Online 2 would have been suffice. I like having the games in a nice chronological order, XI and XIV kind of make the whole series, Especially to people unfamiliar with Final Fantasy, a cluster**** of complications, and I assume many pointless conversations on the order and types of Final Fantasy's will be manifested.
Secondly, MMO genres consist of World Of Warcraft, and then other games that aren't World Of Warcraft. In my personal opinion, if anyone is going to topple Blizzard as MMO king, it is not going to be Square-Enix. The only advantage they have is that they have experience developing a previous MMO, which at best is subpar considering the quality of the other FF titles. If anyone is going to do so, I imagine it would be Bioware's Star Wars: The Old Republic, based simply on the fact the KOTOR 1 and Mass Effect were similar in gameplay to an MMO, and the KOTOR universe is a perfect IP to have an MMO based game.

So I'm sure, unless it really kicks ass (and I have my doubts), FFXIV will probably be another obscure title in the series, and maybe at E3 '11 or E3'12 we will here the announcement of FF XV.

[Fate]

At the rate Square Enix is going, we can expect a preview of FFXV next year. but I don't think they should advertise games so quickly; it makes people anxious to play it. If they were to release FFXIV now, FFXIII would be almost forgotten.

[Che]

I don't know if people are even trying to "topple" World of Warcraft's throne. Also, I would like to point out that in Japan at least, this new SE MMO will beat Warcraft.

[ZantetsukeN]

I'm really disappointed. I can honestly say that I hate MMORPGs. I can't stand WoW. I have played it, and hated it.

Which brings me onto my next point. As previously mentioned, why FFXIV? Why not Online 2, or something completely different. I hate how FFXI is regarded as part of the series. They could have used the 11th installment slot for something far better.

I'm sorry, but I won't play XI, and I won't play XIV either. I'll be sticking with VIII I think .

[Che]

Also, I don't understand why everyone is so upset about the number it is. It is just a number. It's still Final Fantasy...

[~Fate~]

So I read the posts Kilo made and that looks pretty good. I never played 11 but I had two friends back in Australia who do and I always thought about getting it. Now I might wait for the new one. It would be cool to get beta play access into 14.

The name thing isn't a big deal I don't think. As long as the game is good that's all that matters right?

[magujido]

the only trouble im going to have with another FF mmo is if it was as terrible as FF11 was ... that game got boring way to fast